Spinning, which is an indoor group cycling class, is something that people of all ages and fitness levels can benefit from. If you think Spinning isn’t for you or tried it and didn’t like it, here are some reasons to try Spinning that will change your mind.

Burn More Calories:

Spinning will make you push myself. If you’re left to my own devices, sure you’d work out; but you would definitely go easier on yourself and put less time in. Spinning classes help motivate you to work harder and get a better workout than you would on your own. If motivation is an issue for you, or you’d rather walk when running starts to feel tiring, then Spinning class could be just the ticket you need.

Give Your Joints a Break:

Spinning is a low-impact cardio exercise, which means it’s easier on your joints, including your knees and ankles, than many other forms of cardio. Many people who are rehabilitating injuries or recovering from surgeries are advised to try low-impact forms of exercise in lieu of jarring activities like running. If you have an upper body injury, you can still ride the bike and get a good workout. Even if you don’t have joint issues now, it’s a good idea to alternate your high-impact exercises with some low- and no-impact exercises like Spinning to avoid overuse injuries and give those vulnerable joints a break every so often.

Stay in Control:

Think of your Spinning instructor as a friendly guide for your workout. He or she usually has a general plan in terms of movements, intensity changes and pace, but really, YOU are the one in control. You decide how much resistance to add, how fast to pedal, and how hard to work. This means that people of all fitness levels can take the same class and all get a great workout.

Enjoy the Great Indoors:

Many people love biking and the benefits it provides as a great cardio workout with low-impact on the joints but don’t love biking in traffic on the streets. Spinning will provide the same benefits without the uneasiness of cycling in a high-traffic area that’s unfriendly to bikes. If seasonal allergies or extreme weather forces you to take your outdoor workouts inside, Spinning is a great alternative.

It Doesn’t Cost Much:

Spinning has been around a while and at most gyms, classes like Spinning are included in your membership fees. If your gym doesn’t have Spinning, most locations will allow you to try a class for free. If you commit to Spinning or join a gym that has it, you don’t need any special equipment or attire to get started.

Feel the Energy:

When you’re at a class, chances are that everyone there loves it. That creates a positive, high-energy atmosphere that can motivate you to push yourself and make you feel good about working out. It makes the whole workout experience more fun and helps you feel connected with the people around you, like you’re all in it together.

Spinning is your workout. You contrything from yourol ever speed and resistance to your intensity level, so it can be as easy or as challenging as you want it to be. Like many things in life, you will get out of it what you put into it. However, one thing is for sure, you’ll leave your spinning classes dripping with sweat and feeling great that you’ve done something good for yourself.

If you’ve been curious about trying those notorious Spinning classes, here’s what you need to know, whether you’re taking a Spinning class for the first time or the 50th time.

What is Spinning:

Spinning is a specific format of indoor cycling. Spinning is a cardio (aerobic) workout set to music and led by a certified instructor. Most classes last between 40 and 60 minutes, although some places offer beginner or intro classes that might be shorter.

Who can attend:

Spinning is great for people who want a motivating workout that they can control at their own pace. Even if you’re not into choreography-based fitness classes, you can still enjoy Spinning because it involves neither rhythm nor complex moves. It’s low-impact, so it’s very suitable for people who want to balance out higher-impact exercises or for people who have some joint problems.

What to expect:

Try to think of your instructor as a guide he/she should give you general guidelines about how much resistance to add, how fast to pedal, how hard you should be working, and when to do certain movements (like standing, sitting, sprinting, etc.) Using these cues as guidelines, it’s up to you to work out at your own level and pay attention to how you feel. You can recover, go slower, use less resistance, or vice versa depending on how hard you want to work.

Spinning is non-competitive.

You can also expect to feel fatigue throughout your leg muscles when you’re newer to Spinning—even if you’re used to working out in general. But no matter what, don’t stop pedaling. You will also feel some saddle soreness from the seat, and that’s very normal. After coming to class regularly, that soreness will go away for most people.

What should you wear:

Workout gym clothes (not long/baggy pants, because those can get caught in the pedals/wheels) and flat-soled workout shoes are a must. If you have them, padded cycling shorts will increase your comfort, and cycling shoes with cleats can make your workout more effective.

What to bring:

At least one water bottle and a towel for all that sweat.  If you have one, a heart rate monitor is an awesome fitness tool that instructors and students alike typically use to measure exercise intensity during Spinning classes.

Tips: If you’re new, show up early! Let the instructor know that you’re new, and ask them to help you set up your bike properly. Every person in a Spinning class is at a different level of fitness, and everyone had to start at square one. Don’t feel pressure to do more if you’re not comfortable doing so.